Cerro Miscanti, Volcanic mountain in Antofagasta Region, Chile.

Cerro Miscanti is a volcanic peak located in the high-altitude desert of northern Chile, situated near Laguna Miscanti in Los Flamencos National Reserve. The mountain rises from arid terrain surrounded by neighboring volcanic formations and displays exposed rock layers on its slopes.

Cerro Miscanti formed through the volcanic processes that shaped the Andes mountain range over millions of years. A major structural collapse on its western flank altered the mountain's interior and created new geological formations within the damaged area.

An Inca sanctuary has been reported on Cerro Miscanti, a sign of the mountain's role in pre-Columbian religion in the Antofagasta Region. The peak rises directly above Laguna Miscanti, and the sanctuary is the only cultural trace recorded on its slopes in the sources.

The area sits at very high altitude in the Andes, so visitors need to acclimatize to the thin air and cold temperatures. Starting visits early allows ample daylight to explore the slopes and lagoon area safely.

Cerro Miscanti is also called Ipira. Its 38-square-kilometre edifice bears traces of a westward collapse that exposed the volcano's internal sector, and a new volcano grew inside the resulting scar. The andesitic rock samples also include dacites containing andesite.